Search location by ZIP code

NEWS ARCHIVE

Saturday's 100-degree record high in jeopardy

Temperatures hit 100+ degrees Friday in Maryland

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 7:41 AM EDT Jul 2, 2012

u local\David A. Crites Sr.

The temperature Friday, June 29, reaches 105 degrees at the Essex home of David A. Crites Sr. -- in the shade. (The official reading at BWI-Marshall was 103 degrees, and a reading downtown at the Inner Harbor reached 106 degrees.)

Friday's heat index (what it feels like) reached 117 at the Inner Harbor, and the high temperature hit 103 degrees -- just 2 degrees shy of the record. An unofficial reading at the Inner Harbor reached 106 degrees.

The hot, humid air mass over the Mid-Atlantic on Friday kept conditions ripe for a severe thunderstorm to maintain intensity as it moved through late Friday night, bringing wind gusts in excess of 60 mph.

Temperatures Saturday are forecast to reach 95 to 100 degrees, a bit "cooler" than Friday thanks to some cloud cover.

Area officials have issued warnings in an effort to raise awareness and prompts residents to take precautions.

Baltimore City health commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot declared Code Red Heat Alert days Friday through Sunday, and the city's emergency cooling centers will open to residents who need a place with cool air and free water. For a list of cooling centers look here.

Excessive heat warnings and watches remained in effect through Saturday evening.

Additionally, the city's pools will be open for an extra hour. Park pools will open from noon until 8 p.m., and walk-to pools will open from noon until 6 p.m.

According to the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks, pools are scheduled to operate on two-hour open sessions with a half-hour intermission as follows.

Noon until 2 p.m.

2:30 until 4:30 p.m.

5 until 6 p.m. at walk-to pools; 5 until 8 p.m. at park pools

For more information, call the Aquatics Division at 410-396-3838.

"During extended periods of extreme heat, it’s important to drink plenty of water and limit the intake of alcoholic and caffeinated beverages. If you must be outdoors, take frequent water breaks in the shade," Barbot said. "Seniors and those with underlying chronic conditions should be especially careful not to overexert themselves."

On a Code Red Heat Alert day, the Baltimore City Health Department recommends that city residents:

Drink plenty of water or juice

Avoid alcohol and caffeine

Wipe skin with cool water as needed

Reduce outside activities

Wear lightweight and light-colored clothing

Stay inside during the hottest time of day (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Seek relief from the heat in air-conditioned locations

Check on older, sick, or frail people in your community who may need help responding to the heat

Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles, even for short periods of time

Watch out for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke:

Confusion

Nausea

Light-headedness

High body temperature with cool and clammy skin

Hot, dry, flushed skin

Rapid or slowed heartbeat

Seek medical help immediately if any of these symptoms occur

Residents who are concerned about a neighbor can call 311. Call 911 if you are having a heat-related medical emergency.

City residents who want information on the closest cooling center can call 311, the city service line. Any city resident experiencing the signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke should call 911.

The following locations are scheduled to open Friday only from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Annapolis Senior Center (119 S. Villa Ave., Annapolis)

Brooklyn Park Senior Center (202 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park)

O'Malley Senior Center (1275 Odenton Road, Odenton)

Pasadena Senior Center (4103 Mountain Road, Pasadena)

Pascal Senior Center (125 Dorsey Road, Glen Burnie)

South County Senior Center (27 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater)

The following Anne Arundel County police district community meeting rooms are open 24 hours.

Northern District (939 Hammonds Lane, Glen Burnie)

Western District (8273 Telegraph Road, Odenton)

Eastern District (3700 Mountain Road, Pasadena)

Southern District (35 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater)

Questions? Call 410-222-0600

Baltimore County Cooling Centers

Baltimore County residents can contact their local library and senior centers for hours of public operation. For libraries, call 410-887-6100. For senior centers, call 410-887-2594.

Harford County Cooling Centers

The Bel Air and Abingdon volunteer fire companies are scheduled to open Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. to operate as cooling centers. The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company is located at 109 S. Hickory Ave., and the Abingdon Volunteer Fire Company is located at 3306 Abingdon Road.

Electricity

Baltimore Gas and Electric crews are monitoring the weather as it relates to potential high energy usage. Despite the high temperatures in the forecast, BGE said they expect to have sufficient electric supply to meet anticipated demand.

BGE offers the following energy-conservation tips during the summer.

Close curtains and blinds to keep out sunlight.

Set thermostats at 78 degrees or higher, if health allows. Every degree above 72 degrees saves 5 to 7 percent on cooling costs.

Delay the use of major, heat-generating household appliances such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and dryers until after 9 p.m. when the temperature begins to drop.

Take shorter hot showers. Heating water is the second biggest energy drain in the home.

Turn off non-essential appliances, electronics and other devices.

Turn on ceiling fans, with blades rotating counter-clockwise.

Use an outdoor grill or microwave instead of the stove or oven.

Show us how you beat the heat -- share pictures and video on u local showing what you do to keep cool in hot weather!